Arthur Fredrick Stelley Jr.

Arthur “Art” Fredrick Stelley Jr., JD ’49, died Sept. 13, 2023. Stelley was born March 18, 1924, on the family farm in Boone County, Nebraska. After graduating high school, Stelley enrolled at the University of Nebraska. He was a freshman when Pearl Harbor was attacked and he immediately left school to follow his brothers, Harold and Charles, into the military.

After enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Stelley was ordered to report to Waco, Texas Army Air Force Base, to serve as a flight instructor. His first weekend in Waco, Stelley met his future wife,  Jimmie Lee May, at a church social. They were married June 15, 1945, and remained so for 66 years. They continued to live in Waco while Stelley, taking advantage of the GI Bill, attended Baylor. He received his law degree and was licensed to practice in 1949.

In 1952, Stelley, Jimmie and their three daughters moved to Beaumont, Texas, where he became district manager and claims attorney for Continental Insurance Companies of New York. While at Continental Insurance, his career in academia began when he was asked to become an adjunct faculty member in the School of Business at Lamar University. In 1960 he became a full-time faculty member. Stelley continued his law practice in corporate and financial matters, and he and Jimmie co-owned the A & J Property and Casualty Insurance Agency.

The Stelleys returned to Waco when Art joined the faculty of The Hankamer School of Business at Baylor. Stelley was an enthusiastic supporter of all things Baylor and was a charter member of the Baylor Old Main Society. After he retired from Baylor, Stelley continued to practice law and to enjoy his hobbies.

Art was a devoted family man and dedicated educator and attorney. He will be remembered for his deep faith, kindness, wisdom, generosity and wonderful sense of humor.